Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Táim ag freagairt anseo ar son an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí nach bhfuil in ann a bheith i láthair.

The Government attaches great importance to road safety and is committed to increasing the safety of all those who use our roads. Current Government policy is set out in the road safety strategy for 2007-12 which was prepared on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, by the Road Safety Authority following public consultation and direct engagement with key stakeholders. It sets out 126 specific measures, who is responsible for their implementation and the completion date. Its overall objective is to reduce fatalities to 60 fatalities per million of population, or 252 per year. We are making steady progress towards that objective. While every death is one too many, the lowest number of road fatalities, some 279, was recorded last year. To date this year, there have been 42 fewer deaths than in the same period last year.

An Garda Síochána rigorously enforces the legislation in place to ensure errant road users, including cyclists, who place their own lives and those of other road users at risk are made amenable for their actions. Road traffic legislation, including legislation on the use of bicycles on roads, is the responsibility of the Department of Transport. The legislation imposing lighting requirements on pedal cycles is contained in regulation 29 of the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963.

Offences relating to bicycle lighting are dealt by way of court summons. With regard to 2003-07, the most recently available Central Statistics Office figures show a total of 2,882 offences leading to proceedings under legislation for offences relating to bicycle lighting, including offences relating to bicycle front and rear lamps and reflectors. These resulted in 385 recorded convictions. Specifically, with regard to prosecutions for having no front or back light on a bicycle, the Minister is informed by the Courts Service that in 2008 there were 19 prosecutions. In regard to these prosecutions, a total of €1,935 was imposed in fines.

The EU sets construction standards for all motorised vehicles by setting minimum standards for construction that must be met before vehicles enter into service. In addition to entry into service requirements, Irish legislation sets in-use requirements for vehicles under the Construction, Equipment and Use Regulations. These requirements include lighting requirements for pedal cycles and are enforced by An Garda Síochána. The EU continues to set standards for the construction of new bicycles under the general product safety directive which are adopted in Ireland, thereby promoting the construction of safe bicycles. Ireland will continue to contribute to the development of further such EU initiatives.

Enforcement of the law relating to cyclists is clearly important. However, long-term and lasting change in behaviour will be brought about only by bringing cyclists, pedestrian and all road users to the realisation that how they behave is vital to ensuring their safety. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable users, together with pedestrians, motor cyclists, young children and older people. Over the period 1997-2007, 4,353 people were killed on Irish roads. Out of this total, 22% or 958 were pedestrians, 11.6% or 503 were motorcyclists and 3.5% or 155 were cyclists. There must be increased awareness among cyclists of their responsibilities in regard to being seen and adopting safe cycle practice generally. However, crucially there also needs to be greater awareness among motorists, be they HGV, bus or car drivers, about the need to behave responsibly towards cyclists.

Awareness is a long-term project. It is not simply a matter of running an advertising campaign. To that end, the Department of Transport published an ambitious national cycle strategy last April which details 109 individual but integrated actions which will be taken over the coming 12 years to deliver a culture of safe cycling in Ireland. It addresses all issues relevant to cycling with the intention of creating a real culture of cycling. It deals comprehensively with the issue of safe cycling, including the need for basic cycle training and behaviour and awareness of road users towards the needs of cyclists.